Semioscopis mcdunnoughi - Hodges#0917
Semioscopis mcdunnoughi
This record describes Semioscopis mcdunnoughi (species). Recorded family: Depressariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Clarke original description is available online and in PDF. Determined by dissection of this specimen by Greg Pohl. Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Depressariidae
- Subfamily
- Depressariinae
- Genus
- Semioscopis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Washington, British Columbia. Holotype ♂, Bellingham, Washington, 14-III_1923, J.F.G. Clarke.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Semioscopis mcdunnoughi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Semioscopis mcdunnoughi - Hodges#0917 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Semioscopis mcdunnoughi - Hodges#0917
What is Semioscopis mcdunnoughi - Hodges#0917?
Semioscopis mcdunnoughi - Hodges#0917 (Semioscopis mcdunnoughi) is a species in the family Depressariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Semioscopis mcdunnoughi - Hodges#0917?
Wingspan 28-29 mm.
How do you identify Semioscopis mcdunnoughi - Hodges#0917?
Clarke original description is available online and in PDF. Determined by dissection of this specimen by Greg Pohl. Genitalia:
Where is Semioscopis mcdunnoughi - Hodges#0917 found?
Range: Washington, British Columbia. Holotype ♂, Bellingham, Washington, 14-III_1923, J.F.G. Clarke.